Q&A with Tommy Storey

Residence: Perry

Occupation: State Farm insurance agent

Q: Your agency was honored as Perry Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Month in June, but that’s tied to a larger accomplishment — what is it?

A: That’s a great honor and certainly it’s tied to the fact it’s my 50th anniversary working with State Farm. Forty-nine of those years in Perry.

Q: Where were you that other year?

A: I was a claims adjuster in Griffin, Georgia.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: Columbus, Georgia. I graduated from Jordan High School in 1958 and then went to Mercer in Macon. I majored in music and had a double minor in Christianity and Civil War history. I conducted the Baptist Student Union choir at Mercer for three years, was state BSU choir director my senior year and Mercer student body president my senior year.

Q: What got you to Perry?

A: I was offered $35 a week to be part-time student music director at Perry First Baptist Church. I’d been making $25 in Macon. When I left to attend seminary in Kentucky there was an open door to talk to them when I was done and I came back to Perry and served a year.

Q: Music, Christianity, Civil War history, church work — that doesn’t directly add up to an insurance career does it?

A: I’d been thinking about doing something where I could support my family and serve churches as a volunteer. In the past 50 years, I’ve served seven churches part time with the last one being Houston Lake Baptist from 2008 to 2012. I wasn’t looking for anything specifically, but I read a State Farm ad in The Macon Telegraph. I didn’t know anything about insurance, but I had insurance with them and figured I’d call. I got the job.

Q: As a claims adjuster, and they sent you to Griffin?

A: I was 26-27, and we sold our house and everything in Perry and moved to Griffin. In that time I asked if I could change horse in mid-stream and be considered for the Perry agent position. The agent here passed away. I was told no, they had plenty of good applicants.

Q: But you ended up here.

A: I got a call asking if I was still interested. I said I was a little confused by the offer, but they said every time they talked to somebody in Perry they were asked why I wasn’t being hired for the job. I said yes and here I am, 49-50 years later. I couldn’t wait to get back. It’s funny how coming to First Baptist here changed the whole direction of my life. Perry grabbed my heart, the people here did. My roots weren’t here but it became home.

Q: So you’re back in Perry in your mid-20s, a new insurance man. What was that like?

A: I remember my first day. Frankly, I was hoping and praying nobody would walk in or call. I didn’t want to make a mistake or make a fool of myself. It was a Wednesday, and back then Perry pretty much rolled up the sidewalks on Wednesdays at noon, so I just had to make it from 8 a.m. to 12.

Q: Did you?

A: About 11 one man walked in and bought one policy, then the day was done.

Q: Did that make the second day easier?

A: I don’t remember the second day. I just got busy serving people and here we are. I just wanted to do the right thing for everybody. And let me say, that person who walked in that first day has been covered by us all these years. A lot of people have stopped by or told us, “You know, I’ve been with you since then.” I treasure that.

Q: Do you recall what that policy cost in 1967?

A: It was $26.10 for six months. Not six days or six weeks, six months. If you want to know the biggest thing that’s changed in the insurance business, I have to say that’s it: the rates.

Q: As a small-business man, an office manager, what else has changed?

A: Well, that first application was done on paper. My phone was a dial telephone. I thought it was a big deal when we got a portable typewriter and a hand calculator. Now it’s all computers and more things to plug in than I know what to do with.

Q: And the office has grown?

A: From just me and my wife doing bookkeeping to me and a staff of five ladies. Three of them are licensed agents by the state and State Farm plus a clerical staff member and my wife doing books, taxes and payroll. I really appreciate my staff. They’re well trained and personable. They love people and our policyholders. Some call insurance a policy business, but it’s really a people business.

Q: You still think it turned out to be a good fit for you?

A: I still enjoy it, more than at the beginning. I may not be the greatest salesman in the world, but I care about people. I was blessed to have been in Boy Scouts and fortunate to have earned my Eagle badge, and I’ve never forgotten the first eight words of the Scout oath: On my honor I will do my best. I’ve tried to be true to that and add the Golden Rule. That sums up the philosophy of my life and business.

Q: Fifty years in, are you thinking retirement?

A: It brings up the question, but I have no intentions of retiring in the near future. It’s been a good ride and I think there’s a little left.

This story was originally published June 19, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Q&A with Tommy Storey."